2.9 - The First Volume

Sora and friends heading to Olympus Coliseum.

2.9 - The First Volume is the ending of Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-. Like Blank Points, Signs of What's Next and Another Guardian of Light, it uses in-game engine graphics, voice acting, ends with the phrase "Reconnect. Kingdom Hearts", and does not tease a future game, instead serving as the true ending of the game and a true prologue that leads directly to the events of Kingdom Hearts III.

Synopsis

Horrified by the news about Aqua's fate, Riku demands to know why Mickey had kept this a secret from him. Yen Sid explains the dangers of venturing into the Realm of Darkness, something that Sora most likely would have tried to attempt, though they have now found a safer way. Yen Sid presents Riku and Mickey with new garments to protect them from the darkness for their journey to rescue Aqua, and assigns Kairi to train with Lea as a Keyblade wielder under Merlin.

Shortly afterwards, Sora returns to the Tower, where Yen Sid explains that his task will now be to find a way to retrieve people's lost hearts. Though Sora has once again been stripped of most of his power, due to nearly becoming one of Master Xehanort's vessels, Yen Sid reminds him of Hercules, who also lost and regained his power, and advises Sora to pay him a visit with Donald and Goofy.

Aboard the Gummi Ship, the trio ponder on how to travel between worlds due to the passageways having been sealed again. Remembering Yen Sid's words, "May our hearts be our guiding key", Goofy advises Sora to use his heart and he is able to open a passageway to Olympus Coliseum.